1000-Lb Sisters star Tammy Slaton opened up on social media Friday for the first time since mourning the loss of her cousin Katie Slaton, who tragically passed away at 37.
The heartbreaking news was first shared by Tammy’s sister Amanda Halterman earlier this week.
Katie had been fighting stage 4 gastric adenocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of stomach cancer diagnosed earlier this year.
Fans of TLC’s hit series may remember Katie, who made several appearances alongside Tammy and their sister Amy — most notably in season 5, when Tammy was released from a weight-loss rehabilitation center.
‘It [is] with a completely crushed heart and spirit that I have to post this. My little cousin went to sit at the feet of Jesus yesterday. She was a force to be reckoned with and showed love that was accepting and given freely. She was the life of the party and my best friend,’ Amanda wrote on Instagram.
Now, Tammy appears focused on staying positive, sharing a sweet TikTok of her dancing in the car with her fiancée Andrea Dalton.
1000-Lb Sisters star Tammy Slaton opened up on social media Friday for the first time since mourning the loss of her cousin Katie Slaton , who tragically passed away at 37
Tammy appears focused on staying positive, sharing a sweet TikTok of her dancing in the car with her fiancée Andrea Dalton
The clip captures the couple enjoying a private moment together, just two months after Tammy revealed their engagement on the Creative Chaos podcast.
Talking about how they like to spend time together, Tammy said, ‘Me and my fiancée, we just kind of chill at home.’
The revelation shocked host Hunter Ezell: ‘Hold on, you said fiancée?’ before Tammy showed off her sparkling new engagement ring.
Fans also got a peek at Tammy’s ‘Andrea’ necklace, as she revealed the couple has been together for around three years.
Tragically, Tammy lost her husband, Caleb Willingham, in July 2023 at the age of 40.
In the TikTok, Tammy and Andrea couldn’t hide their happiness, as Tammy said ‘I love you.’
Smiling wide and throwing peace signs, the couple danced to Footloose, making it clear they’re just as in love as the day they met.
Fans went wild in the comments, and the clip has already racked up over half a million views.
The clip captures the couple enjoying a private moment together, just two months after Tammy revealed their engagement on the Creative Chaos podcast
Tammy revealed she was engaged to Andrea (left) just two months after the couple went public
Tammy and Andrea (pictured) reportedly dated for almost three years
Back in January, Tammy had asked fans to rally behind her cousin Katie as she began her battle with cancer, sharing a link to Katie’s GoFundMe page.
‘Y’all, I’m so sorry to be asking a big favor like this, but if anyone can help, even if it’s a dollar would help my cousin out so much,’ Tammy wrote at the time.
She added, ‘She has been on my show, but this is something new; our family just found out about her having cancer. Even if you can’t donate, [all I] ask is for you to pray… anything and everything is greatly appreciated not only by [my cousin], but myself and my siblings.’
Katie’s longtime girlfriend, Natalie Gerrick Bailie, also kept supporters updated on her condition, revealing in January that she had started chemotherapy.
‘We are so thankful that her symptoms are improving,’ Bailie wrote in a February 19 Facebook post.
She continued, ‘Both our families have been so great throughout this whole process. We could not get through this without you! Thank you everyone for the thoughts and prayers!’
The devastating loss of Katie comes just over a year after the Slaton family endured another heartbreaking blow.
In July 2023, Willingham passed away from ‘complications of super morbid obesity,’ according to his autopsy.
Katie (pictured) had been battling stage 4 gastric adenocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of stomach cancer, which she was diagnosed with earlier this year
‘My little cousin went to sit at the feet of Jesus yesterday. She was a force to be reckoned with and showed love that was accepting and given freely,’ Amanda wrote on Instagram
The couple had first met in 2022 while receiving treatment at the Windsor Lane Rehabilitation Center in Gibsonburg, Ohio.
Though they were separated at the time of his death, Tammy paid tribute to him in a heartfelt post, calling Caleb her ‘sweet angel.’
She wrote, ‘You will forever be missed and loved so much. Thank you, Caleb, for showing me real love and happiness.’
In April, Tammy opened up about being in her first relationship since Caleb’s passing, seven months after they had married.
‘A few years ago I came out as pansexual but after Caleb passing, I just don’t want to be with men anymore,’ she revealed on her reality series.
‘I don’t know how my family is going to react when I tell them I’m seeing a woman.’
Tammy also spoke about the moment she learned of Caleb’s death.
During an interview with People, she recalled a friend texting her that Caleb ‘wasn’t doing good,’ only to follow up 20 minutes later to say he had passed.
At the time, Tammy was at her home in Kentucky, while Caleb was at the Ohio rehab facility they had attended together.
‘I was sitting in the fetal position,’ Tammy said. ‘I got a text message from his friend up there and the text said, ‘Caleb’s not doing good. They’re in there working on him.’ 20 minutes later he texted me back and said he was gone.’
Tammy, who has lost an astonishing 500 pounds during her weight-loss journey, first gained fame appearing on 1000-lb Sisters alongside her sister Amy back in 2020.
